Each style of décor has its religious and cultural connotations, and so is with Moroccan style decor. According to Alexandra Bonfante-Warren and Hallie Einhorn (ed.) (2000) (Author and editor of the book “Morrocan Style”), Moroccan style is as profound and complex as its history and as multifarious as the many people whose cultures it has absorbed, from the native Berbers, to the Phoenicians and Romans, to the enduring influence of the Muslim Arabs, and the passing centuries of Portuguese, British, and French colonists.
Here, in this article we bring to you a glimpse of the Moroccan style decor and try to explain the nitty-gritty involved in Moroccan interior design elements. However, before that, let us first clear the air about Moorish style and Moroccan style.
What is Moorish Style?
Moorish style is the name given to Islamic architecture developed in the western Islamic world (Muslim-ruled Spain and Portugal), which is now known as Morocco.
What is Moroccan Style?
Moroccan-style is the home decor style inspired by Morocco. Moroccan style interior design elements are tiles, intricate rugs, lanterns, fountains, domes and arches.
About Moroccan Style Decor
The Moorish as known as the Moroccan style comes from the north of Africa, where Morocco nestles between the Atlas Mountains and the sea. This meeting point of African and Muslim culture has a rich artistic and cultural tradition. Islamic art and decoration is based on geometric patterns, as the religion forbids the making of images. Moroccan-style house is built around an inner courtyard with plain, fortress-style exteriors; all of the decoration is on the inside. The courtyard of Moroccan-style house is lined with open balconies, often with rows of columns and elaborate arches. However, Moroccan-style home exterior might make you feel isolated but interiors are a real deal to take.
How to Decorate Moroccan Style Home or Room?
Once you are clear and impressed with what is Moroccan style, imbibing the Moroccan style interior design in your home or a part of it, is an easy task to achieve. One of the most stunning features in a Moroccan style home is the tiling. Tiles are used on walls and floors to create elaborate interwoven shapes and patterns. The star features in most patterns, usually in the centre of a radiating trellis work of a whole pattern. The main colours used in Moroccan style decor are blue, white, black, pale green and terracotta. Moroccan colour palette has colours that are jewel-bright, whether on walls, tiles or woven in textiles.
Features of Moroccan Style Decor: Domes and Arches
Other important features in Moorish design (Moroccan style decor) are domes, arches and water; these are features from traditional Arabic architecture. Doorways are arched and windows are usually covered with decorative metal grilles. Walled rooftop terraces are the most popular place for evening entertainment. In Moroccan style home, walls are either topped off with stepped patterns or simply castellated and whitewashed to reflect the searing heat. Moroccan style home exterior has pools and fountains to cool the courtyards and date palms provide shade.
Pierced lanterns, leather pouffes, carved tea tables and intricately woven rugs are typical Moroccan furnishings. Low couches are spread with rugs and silk cushions in all shapes and sizes. Moroccan furnishings provide comfortable seating for guests to drink tea and enjoy sweet delicacies. This is a style that encourages relaxation and a more exotic, sensual way of living.
Easy Way To Get Moroccan Style Furniture
The Moroccan style home decor is not expensive or beyond our reach, thanks to the ‘at the source’ market culture which exists in Morocco and in all major cities in Europe. The hippy trail led straight to Marrakesh (a city in Morocco) in the late 1960s, and people soon discovered that they could finance their nomadic lifestyles by buying Moroccan goods and selling them back home to fund their next visit. As a result, the markets were flooded with Moroccan style furniture, rugs, lanterns, trays and ceramics, many of which can still be picked up at reasonable prices from flea markets today. The modern Moroccan decor which has been popular recently has brought a new wave of stylish Moroccan imports, but there are also plenty of beautiful and inexpensive pierced tin lanterns, sets of tea glasses, textiles and rugs on offer through home style stores and mail order catalogues that gives Moroccan style home decor an edge.
Takeaway
Travel guides for the area and books on Moorish architecture and interiors show Moroccan interior design elements to be a rich mixture of sophisticated building and decoration enhanced by an exuberant ethnic palette. Modern Moroccan decor today can be brought into your house by minimalistic changes and right knowledge of Moroccan style. Selecting Moroccan colour palette wall paint for room interiors is a cherry on the cake.
On a concluding note, the Moroccan style decor is easy to achieve because the accessories are readily available and inexpensive. However, the point to remember is to strike a right balance and not feel too gaudy? According to Katherine Parsons (2015) (Author of the book “The Secret Guide to Amazing Home Décor”) be sure to consider the value that a Moroccan decorating style could add to your enjoyment of your home. While it isn’t for everyone as a whole, there may be bits and pieces that are absolutely perfect for you. Go ahead and paint a headboard on the wall and add a handmade mosaic mirror frame to capture this look!
For more topics about interior design check the given articles below:
13 Unique Interior Design Ideas and Home Décor Inspirations for 2022
Which Home Furnishings You Should Fix Up or Switch Up To Improve Your Home’s Aesthetic?
Author Bio
Huta Raval – An English Literature and Journalism Topper, Huta Raval has graduated from the L D Arts College, Ahmedabad. Post serving for 23 years in the NBFC and Public Library Sectors her desire for ‘writing the unwritten’ brought her to the creative field of content writing. Her clientele comprises of NGOs, Blogging Platforms, Newspapers, Academic Institutions, et al.